State broadband council starts work next month

EasyStreet CEO Rich BaderDuring its last session, the Oregon Legislature created a new Broadband Advisory Council to map out ways for the state to expand broadband access across Oregon.

The governor named the council's members last week, and I talked with new council member Rich Bader of EasyStreet Online to hear what questions the council will be taking up.

"What kinds of things can be done, in terms of infrastructure, and how can it be done cost effectively?" Rich said. In particularly, he said, the council will be looking at ways to make remote health care services (like sending radiological images from small communities for diagnosis) and economic development.

"I think this council will be able to coordinate help, including the likelihood of getting stimulus bucks," he said.

The council will begin meeting sometime in January, according to Rich, and there's talk it may meet monthly as it starts work. Later, meetings will be quarterly.

Council members are:

Rich Bader (EasyStreet Online Services)

Ray Baum (Oregon Public Utility Commission)

Jonathan Dolan (Oregon State University)

Miles Ellenby (OHSU)

Joe
Franell (Eastern Oregon Telecom)

Kathy George (Yamhill County
Commission)

Adam Gryzbicki (AT&T)

Mary Beth Henry (City of
Portland)

Jeff Johnson (Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue)

Lonny Macy
(Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs)

Dugan Petty (Oregon's chief
information officer)

Dave Sabala (Douglas Electric Cooperative)

In addition, state Sen. Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) and my old business school classmate Tobias Read (D-Beaverton) will sit in on council meetings.